Ford F350 History

Ford F-Series / Ford F350

The F-Series is a series of full-size pickup trucks from Ford Motor Company sold for over 5 decades. The most popular variant of the F-Series is the F-150. It has been the best-selling vehicle in the world for 23 years and the best-selling truck in the United States (and possibly the world) for 28 years. Analysts estimate that the F-Series alone makes up half of the Ford Motor Company's profits in recent years.

First generation (1948 - 1952)

The first F-series truck from Ford was introduced in 1948, replacing the company's previous car-based pickup line. It was a modern-looking truck with a one-piece windshield and integrated headlights. The F-series was available as three models:

F-1 - half-ton

F-2 - three-quarter-ton

F-3 - Heavy Duty

Engines:

1948-1950 - 226 in³ (3.7 L) straight-six, 95 hp (71 kW)

1948-1952 - 239 in³ (3.9 L) Flathead V8, 100 hp (74.6 kW)

1951-1952 - 215 in³ (3.5 L) straight-six, 101 hp (75.3 kW)

Second generation (1953 - 1956)

The F-series was redesigned for 1953 with a more integrated look. The pickups also acquired their familiar names: F-100, F-250, and the heavy-duty F-350. Interior amenities were new, including a dome light, lighter, arm rests, and sun visors.

Third generation (1957 - 1960)

The truck was restyled again in 1957 with the hood now merging with the fenders. In the back, the traditional separate-fender body was now called flareside, while a new smooth-sided look was styleside. Four wheel drive, now a common feature, was a new addition to the truck in 1959.

Engines:

1958-1960 - 223 in³ (3.7 L) straight-6, 137 hp(102 kW)

1958 - 272 in³ (4.5 L) Y-block V8, 173 hp (129 kW)

1959-1960 - 292 in³ (4.8 L) Y-block V8, 186 hp (139 kW)

Fourth generation (1961 - 1966)

The truck was completely redesigned for 1961 with a wider look, and styleside trucks got an integrated cab and box. Power was over 200 hp with the 1965 refresh of the powertrain. In 1965, the Twin I-Beam front suspension was introduced. The 1965 and 1966 trucks have a "TWIN I-BEAM" emblem on the front fender.

Engines:

1961-1964 - 223 in³ (3.7 L) straight-6, 137 hp (102 kW)

1961-1964 - 292 in³ (4.8 L) Y-block V8, 186 hp (139 kW)

1965-1966 - 240 in³ (3.9 L) straight-6, 150 hp (112 kW)

1965-1966 - 300 in³ (4.9 L) straight-6, 170 hp (127 kW)

1965-1966 - 352 in³ (5.8 L) FE V8, 208 hp (155 kW)

Fifth generation (1967 - 1972)

Another refresh came in 1967 along with a now-familiar name: the upscale Ranger trim line. The front leaf springs were replaced by coil springs in F-100s in 1968 along with a powertrain refresh. A 4-door crew cab version was introduced in 1969, still a popular option. The top trim for 1970 was named Ranger XLT.

The fifth generation F-Series is also locally produced in Brazil.

Engines:

1967-1972 - 240 in³ (3.9 L) straight-6

1967-1972 - 300 in³ (4.9 L) straight-6

1967 - 352 in³ (5.8 L) FE V8

1968-1972 - 360 in³ (5.9 L) FE V8

1968-1972 - 390 in³ (6.4 L) FE V8

1970-1972 - 302 in³ (4.9 L) Windsor V8, 220 hp (164 kW)

Sixth generation (1973 - 1979)

The truck was redesigned in 1973 with an automatic transmission option. Other changes included the 1974 introduction of the extended super cab version. A luxury Lariat trim was introduced for 1978. That same year, the F-series became the best-selling vehicle in America, a position it has continued to hold since.

Engines:

1973-1977 - 240 in³ (3.9 L) straight-6

1973-1977 - 300 in³ (4.9 L) straight-6

1973-1977 - 352 in³ (5.8 L) FE V8

1973-1976 - 360 in³ (5.9 L) FE V8

1973-1977 - 390 in³ (6.4 L) FE V8

1973-1977 - 302 in³ (4.9 L) Windsor V8

1973-1979 - 460 in³ (7.5 L) 385 V8

1977-1979 - 351 in³ (5.8 L) Cleveland V8, 163 hp (122 kW)

1977-1979 - 400 in³ (6.6 L) Cleveland V8, 169 hp (126 kW)

1978-1979 - 300 in³ (4.9 L) straight-6, 114 hp (85 kW)

Seventh generation (1980 - 1986)

The next major redesign came in 1980. The new truck had a squarer look, with sharp lines and flat panels. The Ranger trim line was dropped in 1982, since that name was to be applied to the new Ford Ranger compact pickup. Trim options were now XL, XLT, and XLT Lariat. The big-block V8 was dropped for 1980, but added again in 1983 along with a Diesel option. The base model was renamed to the now-familiar F-150 for 1984. In 1985 fuel injection became optional in the 5.0L. In 1986 this became the only 5.0L offered.

Engines:

1980-1986 - 300 in³ (4.9 L) straight-6

1980-1985 - 302 in³ (5.0 L) Windsor V8

1985-1986 - Windsor 5.0 L V8, FI, 185 hp

1980-1982 - 351 in³ (5.8 L) Cleveland V8

1983-1986 - Windsor 5.8 L V8

1980-1982 - 400 in³ (6.6 L) Cleveland V8

1983-1986 - 7.5 L 460 V8, 245 hp (183 kW)

1983-1986 - 6.9 L Diesel V8, 170 hp (127 kW)

Eighth generation (1987 - 1991)

The 1987 refresh was evolutionary. The design was more streamlined, and maintenance items were made simpler. Rear antilock brakes were now standard, the first truck to boast this. The manual transmission was revised with five speeds in 1988, and the flareside box was dropped. For 1987 the 4.9L had standard fuel injection; for 1988, the 5.8L and 7.5L also gained fuel injection, with 1988 being the first year no carbureted engines were offered. 1988 also saw the replacement of the 6.9L diesel with a 7.3L International Harvester IDI diesel.

Four wheel drive improvements included the addition of automatic locking hubs for the F-150 in 1989, and for the rest in 1991. The 5.0 L truck also had an optional "Touch Drive" electronic transfer case.

Engines:

1987-1991 - 4.9 L straight-6, FI, 150 hp (112 kW)

1987 - Windsor 5.8 L V8

1987 - 6.9 L Diesel V8, 170 hp (127 kW)

1987 - 7.5 L 460 V8, 245 hp (183 kW)

1988-1991 - 460 7.5 L V8, FI, 230 hp

1988-1991 - 7.3 L International Harvester IDI Diesel V8, 180 hp

1987-1991 - Windsor 5.0 L V8, FI, 185 hp

1988-1991 - Windsor 5.8 L V8, FI, 210 hp

Ninth generation (1992 - 1996)

The 1992 truck was much more rounded and aerodynamic-looking, and the flareside returned until 1996. The Lightning appeared in 1993. A CD player option was new for 1994, as was a driver's-side airbag and "CHMSL" third brake light. Following the lead of the Explorer, an Eddie Bauer trim line was added for 1995.

Ford trailed rival General Motors trucks for much of the ninth generation, though sales steadily rose each year. 500,000 F-Series trucks were sold in 1992, but this rose to nearly 800,000 by 1996, and the Ford had overtaken the combined Chevrolet and GMC pickup sales for the first time in a decade.

Engines:

1992-1996 - 4.9 L straight-6, FI, 150 hp

1992-1996 - 7.5 L 385 V8, FI, 240 hp

1992-1996 - 7.3 L IDI Diesel V8, 185 hp/360 ft.lbf

1992-1996 - 7.3 L Turbo IDI Diesel V8, 190 hp/395 ft.lbf

1992-1996 - 5.0 L Windsor V8, FI, 185 hp

1992-1996 - 5.8 L Windsor V8, FI, 210 hp

1993-1995 - 5.8 L Windsor V8, FI, 240 hp Lightning

1995-1996 - 7.3 L Power Stroke turbo-Diesel V8, 210 hp/425 ft.lbf

Tenth generation (1997 - 2003)

Ford took the aero styling to its conclusion for 1997 with an extremely round nose on the new F-series. The "Super Duty" F series did not yet exist, so an F-250 was offered which was an F-150 with heavier duty axles and suspension, along with odd 7 lug wheels. With the arrival of the Super Duty, this F-250 "light duty" was offered as the "7700" package for the F-150 (noted on the tailgate emblem). A wide variety of body options were available: regular cab and SuperCab, standard or flareside boxes, and short and long beds. A new Lightning was introduced in 1999, and Harley-Davidson and King Ranch versions were also created. In 2001 the SuperCrew cab was introduced.

The super-duty F-250 and F-350 were retained on the old chassis until 1999.

Sales of the F-150 surged in the tenth generation to 750,000 to over 900,000 in 2001 as the General Motors and Dodge products lagged. Ford's sales dropped, however, for the final years of this generation as the redesigned Dodge trucks were released.

Eleventh generation (2004 - )

In 2004, Ford redesigned the F-Series using the new P2 platform. Initially, only Ford's 4.6 L Triton and new 3-valve 5.4 L 3V Triton V8 engines and automatic transmissions were offered on the new luxurious trucks. Work-oriented versions with an available 4.2 L Triton V6 and manual transmission will debut for 2005.

The previous F-150 was continued in production until the summer of 2004 as the Heritage model.

The new F-150 won the North American Truck of the Year award and was Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year for 2004. It also beat the three-time winning Chevrolet Silverado for Car and Driver magazine's Best Pickup Truck for 2004 and 2005. Additionally, over 912,000 F-150s were sold in 2004, giving it a single-year sales record.

The F-150 will have a new Harley-Davidson trim line in 2006 with an available all-wheel drive, while the Super Duty will have an available Amarillo package or the Chrome Package for the Lariat.

For 2007, Ford introduced a complement to the existing 4WD FX4 model, the new FX2 Sport package. This truck is a 2 wheel drive truck with an appearance package.

Super Duty

For 2005 the "Super Duty" model was redesigned. These included a new grille, new interior, and factory installed trailer brake controller and upfitter switches. The engines were also upgraded, with the new 3 valve 5.4L V8 and 6.8L V10 putting out 300 and 362 horsepower, respectively. The Powerstroke Diesel was also modified, boosting torque from 560ft/lb to 570ft/lb, but horsepower stayed at 325.

The truck was going to be completely redesigned for the 2007 model year, but it was recently announced that quality issues will push it back to a 2008 model. The new 2008 model will introduce a new 6.4 L twin-turbo Power Stroke Diesel V8 to the replace the problematic 6.0 L Power Stroke Diesel V8. The engine is said to produce 350 hp (260 kW) and 650 ft·lbf (880 N·m), beating both the General Motors Duramax V8 and DaimlerChrysler's Cummins ISB I6 on both power and torque.